Poor trail conditions caused by recent heavy rains hampered the rescue of a Massachusetts hiker who fell ill while on the Appalachian Trail Wednesday.

Cpl. John MacDonald, spokesman for the Maine Warden Service, said it took 22 people five hours to carry 55-year-old William Edwards of Orleans to safety. Edwards, who also complained that a knee replacement was bothering him, is listed in good condition.

Advertisement

MacDonald said a group of hikers came across Edwards on Thursday morning near Katahdin Ironworks. The hikers used a cell phone to notify a game warden that Edwards was not feeling well.

MacDonald said 22 people, including game wardens, volunteers with the Appalachian Mountain Club, the Maine Forest Service and Greenville fire, EMS and police, helped bring Edwards off the trail. The rescue began at 7 p.m. and ended around midnight, he said. Edwards had originally planned to end his trip at Mt. Katahdin, according to MacDonald.

MacDonald said recent rains made hiking conditions difficult, especially at water crossings.